British prime minister’s wife Cherie Blair became the new president of children’s charity Barnardo’s yesterday, filling a post that had been left vacant since Princess Diana scaled back her charity work and left the position in 1996. Already a top campaigning barrister and QC for children’s rights, Cherie said, “I was a great fan of the Princess of Wales and am honoured to follow in her footsteps.”
Speaking at the charity’s High Close School in Wokingham, Berkshire, the mother-of-four pointed out that she was keen to help combat child poverty and give Britain’s 50,000 disadvantaged children a voice.
“Obviously, as a mother, I know only too well how difficult it can be to bring up children, and I’ve got so much support and help. I know for many families bringing up children is a really hard task and children are our future. So, anything I can do to help other families I will do.”
Barnardo’s chief executive Roger Singleton said of the appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Cherie as our new president. She has already demonstrated her deep concern for the needs of troubled and vulnerable children and a commitment to positive action to ensure them a better future. That is what Barnardo's is all about.”
Princess Diana was president of Barnardo’s for 12 years and visited more than 100 projects and events, boosting the charity’s profile and helping take its income to £80 million a year. Princess Margaret had been president for nearly 40 years until Diana took over in 1984. Other celebrities associated with the charity include designer Bruce Oldfield and footballer turned TV presenter John Fashanu.
For further information on Barnardo's see www.barnardos.com.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
